The Age of Fable eBook

has right on his side. I think we shall be conquered;
and if that must be the end of it, why should not
love unbar the gates to him, instead of leaving it
to be done by war? Better spare delay and slaughter
if we can. And O if any one should wound or kill
Minos! No one surely would have the heart to
do it; yet ignorantly, not knowing him, one might.
I will, I will surrender myself to him, with my country
as a dowry, and so put an end to the war. But
how? The gates are guarded, and my father keeps
the keys; he only stands in my way. O that it
might please the gods to take him away! But why
ask the gods to do it? Another woman, loving
as I do, would remove with her own hands whatever
stood in the way of her love. And can any other
woman dare more than I? I would encounter fire
and sword to gain my object; but here there is no
need of fire and sword. I only need my father’s
purple lock. More precious than gold to me, that
will give me all I wish.”

While she thus reasoned night came on, and soon the
whole palace was buried in sleep. She entered
her father’s bedchamber and cut off the fatal
lock; then passed out of the city and entered the
enemy’s camp. She demanded to be led to
the king, and thus addressed him: “I am
Scylla, the daughter of Nisus. I surrender to
you my country and my father’s house. I
ask no reward but yourself; for love of you I have
done it. See here the purple lock! With
this I give you my father and his kingdom.”
She held out her hand with the fatal spoil. Minos
shrunk back and refused to touch it. “The
gods destroy thee, infamous woman,” he exclaimed;
“disgrace of our time! May neither earth
nor sea yield thee a resting-place! Surely, my
Crete, where Jove himself was cradled, shall not be
polluted with such a monster!” Thus he said,
and gave orders that equitable terms should be allowed
to the conquered city, and that the fleet should immediately
sail from the island.

Scylla was frantic. “Ungrateful man,”
she exclaimed, “is it thus you leave me?—­me
who have given you victory,—­who have sacrificed
for you parent and country! I am guilty, I confess,
and deserve to die, but not by your hand.”
As the ships left the shore, she leaped into the water,
and seizing the rudder of the one which carried Minos,
she was borne along an unwelcome companion of their
course. A sea-eagle ing aloft,—­it was
her father who had been changed into that form,—­seeing
her, pounced down upon her, and struck her with his
beak and claws. In terror she let go the ship
and would have fallen into the water, but some pitying
deity changed her into a bird. The sea-eagle
still cherishes the old animosity; and whenever he
espies her in his lofty flight you may see him dart
down upon her, with beak and claws, to take vengeance
for the ancient crime.